Treating Depression

There has been a lot of discussion over the past few years about the use of antidepressants to treat depression. I have met many people who have or are taking these drugs. Some say they could not manage without them or that they have helped them through a difficult patch. Others say that they have noticed no difference in their mood. Still others balance the medication against the side effects , such as constipation, stomach cramps or a feeling that they cannot think straight.In 2004 NICE (National Intitute of Clinical Exellence) guidelines recommended therapy other than antidepressants to treat depression. This was followed on by research in 2008 which suggested that antidepressants were no better than a placebo in all but some severe instances of depression. It seems that although there is guidance that health professionals should be considering talking therapies and other options like exercise to relieve depression there is no national commitment to this end. A recent article in the news stated that 'three quarters of GPs have prescribed anti-depressants even though they think another treatment would have been more effective'. Considering that one in six of us are likely to experience depression at some time in our life you would think that there would be more help. I am not saying there is none, but it seems to be in pockets and down to the commitment of individuals. Let me know what you think about this subject.

You can read the BBC article at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8436111.stm

NHS Stressline

The NHS launched a new national helpline on 30th December for people experiencing financial difficulties as the result of the credit crunch. The number is 0300 123 2000 and is open from 8am to 10pm daily.

Health advisors will listen, offer practical advice, guide people to useful online resources and put them in touch with other people who can help such as debt, housing, employment advisors, and counselling and talking therapy services.

End of Term

So, another year and another term nearly over. I always think this is the most stressful term for staff and students. The induction period seems to get busier every year and lecturers face a new group of students, how will they be, do they want to learn, do they have problems that they are struggling with while studying? I have been supporting some students this term who are unsure if they can continue with the course because of the added pressure of living with mental illness. Inevitably some of these students will withdraw which leaves me feeling sad that their illness is getting in the way. I have also been thinking about how we support students in general to reduce stresses engendered by our behaviour as a university. Do you have any thoughts on ways that we can change what we do to make the university a better and less stressful place for all of us?

Students can start the New Year with a new outlook

In January 2010 the Counselling and Mental Well Being Team will be offering a workshop on Self-esteem to students.

It will run from Wednesday January 27th between 2-3pm for four weeks. Places are limited to 8 and it is on a first come first served basis. This is a pilot course and we hope to run more. You will need to be able to commit to all four sessions.

Please register your interest by emailing counselling@beds.ac.uk and someone will reply or call you back if you leave a phone number, to confirm details.

A Season to be Jolly?

Students I have seen lately are looking forward to the Christmas break. Some are homesick, some are stressed by study. Is the festive season a positive for our mental well-being? There is the stress of buying presents, which family members go where for Christmas and will Aunt Ada get on with your rather left wing cousin. A large amount of alcohol consumed can act as a depressant and increased food intake causes us to diet in the new year. That's enough to depress anyone. There is a myth that suicides increase over the Christmas holidays but research is not suggesting this. It seems that there are positive benefits to this holiday period such as the gathering of friends and relatives reducing isolation and memories evoking a sense of hopefulness. So it seems that what we make of Christmas is down to us. How do you spend this holiday time? Do you need to re-evaluate so that it is a time to relax and destress before coming back to uni?

Mental Illness causes more deaths than cancer or heart disease?

'Schools employers and GPs all have a role to play in mental health care in the UK', according to the new mental health strategy. Research suggests that 1 in 6 people suffer from depression or anxiety at any given time, but only a quarter of those get medical help. A fifth of early deaths are related to mental health problems, compared to under a sixth for both heart disease and cancer. Read more on the BBC News site at:


http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/1/hi/health/8396147.stm

The Visual Pledge

Have you signed up to the visual pledge with Time to Change? Give your support to this campaign to reduce the stigma of mental illness. To access the pledge go to:

www.time-to-change.org.uk/visualpledge